Padres outfielder, 2 others banned for drug violations

Published April 08, 2016

NEW YORK (AP) San Diego Padres outfielder Jose Urena and two free agent players have been suspended for violating baseball's minor league drug program.

The commissioner's office announced Thursday that Urena has been penalized along with outfielder Henry Charles and right-handed pitcher Adam Reifer.

Urena was handed an 80-game ban, effective immediately, after testing positive for a metabolite of Nandrolone, a performance-enhancing substance. The 21-year-old Urena is on the roster at Class A Fort Wayne in the Midwest League. He batted .258 with seven homers, 45 RBIs and a .390 on-base percentage in 63 games for low-A Tri-City last season.

Charles also tested positive for a metabolite of Nandrolone and was given a 76-game suspension. Reifer received an 80-game punishment following a positive test for Ostarine, also a performance-enhancing substance, the commissioner's office said.

The suspensions for Charles and Reifer will take effect when they sign with another major league club.

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